The Chinese government has issued a plan to advance agricultural and rural modernization during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to a circular issued by the State Council on Feb 11.

The plan outlines that by 2025, supply of grain and other staple agricultural products will be guaranteed, with quality, efficiency and competitiveness of agriculture industry enhanced, and new progress made in rural infrastructure construction. With better rural ecology environment and higher income of rural residents, anti-poverty achievements will be consolidated and expanded by 2025.

The country is expected to make decisive progress in comprehensive rural revitalization, and generally achieve agricultural and rural modernization by 2035, according to the plan.

The plan has specified tasks to stabilize grain acreage, optimize structure of grain species, beef up farmland protection to guard the red line of 1.8 billion mu (120 million hectares) of arable land and promote high-standard farmland construction.

Modern husbandry, upgraded fishing industry and development of diversified vegetables, tea and fruits should also be developed to guarantee supply of other major agricultural products, the plan added.

To optimize layout of agricultural production, the nation will enhance construction of functional areas for grain production, protect zones for important agricultural products, and strengthen areas for special agricultural products.

Disaster prevention and relief, market adjustment for important agricultural products must be strengthened with stabilized supply chains of international agricultural products to enhance anti-risk ability of the sector, according to the plan.

The country will strengthen scientific and technological support for modern agriculture, boost development of seed industry, and improve abilities for agricultural equipment research and application, as per the plan.

It also outlines establishment of a modern rural industry system to keep the main body of industrial chains in county regions to create more jobs and benefits for farmers.

Rural construction with more convenient transportation and life, and better services and environment marked another task in the plan, which aims to provide farmers a better living.

China will push forward transformation of rural production and living into a green and low-carbon style, increase resource utilization efficiency, work for cleaner environment at production places, stable ecological system and harmonious co-existence between man and nature, as per the plan.

Effective connection between consolidation of poverty eradication and rural revitalization, and integrated urban-rural development are also stressed in the plan.